AWhat are J-1 visas
The J-1 classification (exchange visitors) is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training. In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the Department of State designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. J-1 non-immigrants are therefore sponsored by an exchange program that is designated as such by the U.S. Department of State. These programs are designed to promote the interchange or persons, knowledge, and skills, in the fields of education, arts, and science.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age are entitled to J-2 classification.
BJ-1 visa program
- Trainees
Training programs are designed to allow foreign professionals
1) to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture
2) to receive training in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.
A trainee must be a foreign national who:Has a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in his or her occupational field outside the United States; or Has five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which they are seeking training
Visa validity：24 months - J-1 Intern Program
Internship programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.
Visa validity：12 months - J-1 Teacher Program
Foreign teachers have the opportunity to teach in accredited primary and secondary schools in the United States.
Visa validity：36 months
Teachers must:
1) Meet the qualifications for teaching in primary or secondary schools in their country of nationality or last legal residence;
2) Be working as a teacher in the home country or country of legal residence at the time of application, or, if not working as a teacher, otherwise meet the eligibility qualifications and (a) have recently (within 12 months of application) completed an advanced degree and (b) have two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years;
3) Have a degree-equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in either education or the academic subject field in which they intend to teach;
4) Have a minimum of two years (24 months) of teaching or related professional experience;
5) Satisfy the standards of the U.S. state in which they will teach;
6) Be of good reputation and character;
7) Possess sufficient proficiency in the English language. - J-1 Professor Program
The exchange of professors promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries.
J-1 Professor can guide relevant research if there is no objection from the sponsor.
Visa validity：36 Months
Professor must:
1) Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
2) Not have participated in and completed a professor program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement;
3) Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a professor program unless he or she meet one of the following exceptions:
a) The participant is currently in a professor program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue his or her current J-1 program;
b) The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and
c) The prior participation was as a short-term scholar. - J-1 Research Scholar Program
The exchange of research scholars promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries.
Visa validity：36 months
1) Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
2) Not have participated in and completed a research scholar program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement;
3) Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a research scholar program unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
a) The participant is currently in a research scholar program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue their current J-1 program;
b) The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and
c) Any prior participation was as a short-term scholar. - J-1 Secondary School Student Program
Secondary school students travel to the United States to study at an accredited public or private high school and live with an American host family or at an accredited boarding school.
Visa validity：12months
Students must:
Be at least 15 years of age, but not more than 18 years and six months of age as of the program start date, or Not have finished more than 11 years of primary and secondary school, not including kindergarten; and Not have previously participated in a secondary school student academic year or semester exchange program or attended school in the United States in either F-1 or J-1 status. - J-1 College and University Student Program
Foreign students have the opportunity to study at American degree-granting post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or participate in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives of the student’s degree program in his or her home country.
Visa validity：
Duration of studies plus duration of practical training program following graduation. The additional months for practical training programs are 18 months for baccalaureate/masters and 36 for post-doctoral students. - J-1 Short-Term Scholar Program
Professors, research scholars and other individuals with similar education or accomplishments travel to the United States on a short-term visit for to lecture, observe, consult, train or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions or similar types of institutions.
Visa validity：The maximum duration of stay is six months; - J-1 Specialist Program
1) Be experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skill;
2) Seek to travel to the United States for the purpose of the interchange of knowledge and skills among foreign and American specialists by observing, consulting or demonstrating their special knowledge or skills except:
a) Professors;
b) Research Scholars;
c) Short-Term Scholars; and
d) Alien Physicians in graduate medical education or training.
Visa validity：The maximum duration of this program is one year. - J-1 Physician Program
Through the Alien Physician program foreign physicians participate in U.S. graduate medical education programs or training at accredited U.S. schools of medicine.
Visa validity：no more than 7 years
Alien Physicians must:
1) Have adequate prior education and training to participate satisfactorily in the program for which they are coming to the United States;
2) Be able to adapt to the educational and cultural environment in which they will be receiving their education and training;Have the background, needs and experiences suitable to the program;
3) Have competency in oral and written English;
4) Have passed either Parts I and II of the National Board of Medical Examiners Examination, the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, Step I and Step II, or the Visa Qualifying Examination (VQE) prepared by the National Board of Medical Examiners, administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates;
5) Provide a statement of need from the government of the country of their nationality or last legal permanent residence. Providing written assurance to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that there is a need in that country for persons with the skills the alien physician seeks to acquire and the alien physician has filed a written assurance with the government of this country that he/she will return upon completion of the training; and
6) An agreement or contract from a U.S. accredited medical school, an affiliated hospital or a scientific institution to provide the accredited graduate medical education, signed by the alien physician and the official responsible for the training. - J-1 International Visitor Program
The International visitor category is for people-to people programs, which seek to develop and strengthen professional and personal ties between key foreign nationals and Americans and American institutions.
Visa validity：12 months - J-1 Government Visitor Program
International visitors must be:Selected by the United States Department of State;Engaged in consultation, observation, research, training or demonstration of special skills; and A recognized or potential leader in a field of specialized knowledge or skill.
Visa validity: 18 Months - J-1 Camp Counselor Program
The Camp Counselor Program enables post-secondary students, youth workers, and teachers to share their culture and ideas with the people of the United States in camp settings throughout the country.
Camp Counselors must be at least 18-years-old.They cannot serve as administrator personnel, cooks or menial laborers such as dishwashers or janitors. - J-1 Au Pair Program
Through the Au Pair program, participants and host families take part in a mutually rewarding, intercultural opportunity. Participants can continue their education while experiencing everyday life with an American family, and hosts receive reliable and responsible childcare from individuals who become part of the family.
Visa validity：Live with a family for 12 months, with the option to extend 6, 9, or 12 more months.
Note：Au Pairs must be:Between 18-and-26-years-old. Successful in passing a background investigation that includes verification of school, three, non-family related personal and employment references, a criminal background check or its recognized equivalent and a personality profile. - J-1 Summer Work Travel Program
College and University students enrolled full time and pursuing studies at post-secondary accredited academic institutions located outside the United States come to the United States to share their culture and ideas with people of the United States through temporary work and travel opportunities.
Visa validity：No more than 4 months